Streams of Mercy
Tonight at the Jackson Springs Community Club, we learned more about “God’s Garden.”
Churches in Montgomery, Richmond and surrounding counties have been coming together for many years to help feed the hungry. Nine different denominations and several individuals work together throughout the year planting, tilling and harvesting fresh produce for food banks, food pantries and hungry families in the surrounding area. The mission of “God’s Garden” is to offer homegrown, fresh seasonal vegetables to the hungry who often rely only on canned and jarred items.
“God’s Garden” began as a mission project for local retirees of the area to get together, socialize and give back to their community. In 2008, Mac Clark donated a piece of land off of Troy Candor Road and began planting the first seeds. Mac Clark’s son, David is now the head gardener, and chairs a newly formed Board of Directors. He shared information about how churches and organizations might “sponsor” a given crop and follow it through from planting to harvest. As more organizations and churches join the project expands, and the amount of produce increases!
There are now several “God’s Gardens” on different parcels of land, with the largest garden located in Norman.
Following Clark’s presentation we shared a poem “Gardening in God’s Way”:
Plant three rows of peace:
Peace of mind
Peace of heart
Peace of soul
Plant four rows of squash:
Squash gossip
Squash indifference
Squash grumbling
Squash selfishness
Plant four rows of lettuce:
Lettuce be faithful
Lettuce be kind
Lettuce be obedient
Lettuce really love one another
No garden without turnips:
Turnip for meetings
Turnip for service
Turnip to help one another
Water freely with patience
Cultivate with love.
There is much fruit in our garden.
Because we reap what we sow.
And we must have thyme:
Thyme for God
Thyme for study
Thyme for prayer
Giving thanks for opportunities to work with “God’s Garden,” for the grace to garden in “God’s Way,” and for those streams of mercy, never ceasing.
Elizabeth